I keep hearing differing methods!! I’d like to know how I’m suppose to sit?
To be clear: I am taking my own blood pressure & was urged to do so & keep track on the advice of my doctor.
Which is a myth?:
- Can’t have eaten/drank anything for the last half hour
- feet flat on the floor
- lying down but sitting up
- back against the chair
- don’t cross your legs/ankles
- only use your left arm
- hand facing upward
- hand facing downward
- keep your arm down
- keep your arm raised to the level of your chest/heart
What’s the correct way???
Anything else I should know? I keep getting inconsistent results, and it’s stressing me out.
Thank you.
Unless you are taking the readings for a specific purpose under medical instruction, then so long as you’re consistent it probably doesn’t matter too much. You’ll get sufficient information to show any trends. - take readings throughout the day, that way you’ll get used to the process and your stress levels will fall giving more consistent numbers. Not a medic but have experience of BP measurement.